French Toast

Here is the yummy French toast recipe!

Ingredients:
Texas Toast bread loaf

Batter:
4 eggs
1/4 c. sugar
1 T cinnamon
1/2 c. whipping cream (can substitute with milk for lighter version)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 T applesauce

Dip both side of Texas Toast into batter and cook on griddle.

Syrup:
Bring to boil in a medium size sauce pan.
1 cube butter
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. buttermilk

Once mixture starts to boil add:
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soada

Stir quickly as syrup foams up. Make sure you have a big enough pan because when it foams it nearly doubles in size. Enjoy!

Heavenly Breakfast Foods: Lemon Cream Syrup

I realized this week that I use breakfast breads (waffles, crepes, french toast, pancakes, etc) as vehicles for syrup. I love syrup yet sometimes the delicious, classic maple just doesn't cut it.  Which brings me to the finding of this awesome recipe on Cooking Classy. Lemon cream syrup; it's citrus-y and creamy and so delightfully delicious. She also included a recipe for Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes and I tried them but didn't find them as good as the syrup. Instead, I would suggest using this as a way to pump up your normal pancakes, waffles, etc. In fact, I ate it with a spoon and it was also very delicious.
 
 
Lemon Cream Syrup

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup butter (I recommend salted butter)
• 1 cup  sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp lemon extract 
  In a medium saucepan combine heavy cream, butter, sugar and lemon juice. Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture begins to boil. Allow to boil for 1 without stirring, then remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Whisk for about 10 seconds until mixture becomes foamy and frothy then return to low heat and cook about 30 seconds longer (until baking soda flavor has cooked out), then remove from heat and stir in lemon extract. Serve warm. 

Dinner Last Night: Applesauce BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

I am a huge fan of crock pot recipes. So easy, and cooking for 8 hours just makes everything taste amazing!  This is what I made for dinner last night.  I adapted this recipe from Real Mom Kitchen's recipe.

Applesauce BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders (essentially mini sandwiches)

1 pork loin (around 3 pounds for use of all the sauce, you could also use any type of pork roast or even chops)

Sauce

1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
6 tablespoons lemon juice (1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Place pork loin in crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours in 1-2 cups of apple juice (if you don't have apple juice then just salt/pepper the pork loin and cook it. After it is fully cooked, take out of crockpot and shred with 2 forks. 

To prepare sauce:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix applesauce, ketchup, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper, paprika, garlic powder and cinnamon. Stirring frequently, bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and mix with shredded pork. Return to crock pot and warm the mixture through for about an hour. 

For the sliders: 

We had on hand a few cheap rolls we bought that needed to be used up. I like to cut them in half and toast them with garlic/butter because they taste better. Then you pile on the meat and serve with your favorite 'slaw. (We had broccoli slaw last night) and enjoy!

Stuffed peppers

Stuffed Peppers 

6 lg bell peppers
1lb lean ground beef
2T onion, chopped (Brian and I dont like onions..and dont put this in)
1 C rice, cooked
1tsp salt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
3/4 C mozzarella cheese, grated

Cut thin slice from stem end of each bell pepper.  Remove seeds and membranes; rinse peppers.  Cook peppers in enough boiling water to cover them, about 5 minutes just until soft.  Drain.  Cook beef and onion in 10 inch skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is brown; drain.  Stir in rice, salt, garlic and 1 cup of tomato sauce; cook until hot.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Stuff peppers with beef mixture.  Stand upright in ungreased square baking dish 8x8x2 inches.  Pour remaining tomato sauce over peppers.  Cover and bake 45 minutes.  Uncover and bake about 15 minutes longer or until peppers are tender.  Sprinkle with cheese and serve

Okay I'm dying... I LOVE THIS BLOG. Thank goodness Alexis actually did it :)

Okee dokee here is the taquito recipe I used the other night :)
I wish I could take credit for it... but alas it is from the blog Our Best Bites. I will list the recipe on this post but just in case you want to see it on their website here it is. :)

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos
1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked chicken (for extra yumminess, use grilled taco chicken!)
1 C grated pepperjack cheesesmall corn tortillas (and actually, flour ones are really good as well)
kosher salt
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it’s soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge. 

Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it. If you find yours are cracking when you roll them or are coming unrolled right away, just try heating them longer and try the paper towel thing.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges.  Roll up tortillas and place seam down on a baking sheet, not touching one another.  Spray lightly with cooking spray, or lightly brush with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt.  Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. 

And there you have it.

Just a heads up... when I make it for just the two of us I always double it because I like a thicker taquito and I like to have a couple extra for lunch the next day :)

In My Kitchen: What do you guys keep as basics? and Lettuce Wraps

Hey so I am realizing that I have certain basics that I always have on hand to cook something up really fast.(spaghetti stuff, stir fry stuff, etc)

What are your basics and why? What does your dream kitchen have?

Here's what I made last night for dinner. This was super yummy.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

1 lb sausage (or chicken)
Any veggies you want in it frozen or fresh (snow peas, carrots, peppers, etc)
1/2 head of lettuce

Sauce:
1/2 tsp. grated ginger (or 1/4 tsp ground ginger)
1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 Tbsp. sesame seed oil (optional)
1/4 cup soy sauce

Heat 1 tsp oil in wok or other frying pan, and cook sausage until no longer pink. While sausage is cooking mix together grated ginger, sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil and soy sauce in separate bowl. When sausage is done drain and add vegetables and sauce. Cook until vegetables are tender.

Place a small amount of meat mixture in a leaf of lettuce. Enjoy!

Meatloaf, Potatoes, Fresh Strawberries

Meatloaf 

3 slices white or wheat bread
1 pound ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1 cup ketchup, divided
1/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground sage
Brown sugar for sprinkling atop. (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cut or break the bread into pieces and pulse in a blender or food processor to make crumbs (1 1/2 cups).

3. In a large bowl combine the meat, egg, and bread crumbs. Add 1/2 cup of the ketchup, the milk, salt, pepper, and sage. Mix well with a fork.

4. Place the meat mixture in a 9x5-inch loaf pan and shape it with a fork. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup of ketchup over the top. Sprinkle with brown sugar, if desired. Bake uncovered for 1 hour.

Variations:

• Mix in 3/4 cup partially cooked diced carrots

• In place of the ketchup topping, mix 3 tablespoons honey with 1/4 cup prepared mustard. Spread half of the mixture over the meatloaf before baking. Heat the other half in the microwave just before serving and pass as a sauce with the baked meatloaf.

• Bake the loaf in a shallow baking pan. Spread mashed potatoes over the top and sides. Sprinkle with grate Cheddar cheese and return it to the oven until the cheese melts. Cut into slices and serve immediately.

Mashed Potatoes 

Potatoes
Milk
Butter
Cream Cheese
Dried Onions
Garlic Salt

Mix ingredients to taste of your liking

Fresh Strawberries

Fresh strawberries sliced